Methods and systems for decomposing a feedstock gas

Abstract

A method of decomposing a feedstock gas includes introducing the feedstock gas into a mixing chamber and introducing a combustion gas into a combustion chamber connected to the mixing chamber. The combustion gas is combusted so as to produce combustion product gases. A first portion of the combustion products gases flows into the mixing chamber and mixes with the feedstock gas, and a second portion of the combustion products gases initially remains in the combustion chamber. At least some of the feedstock gas is decomposed as a result of the first portion of the combustion products gases flowing into the mixing chamber and mixing with the feedstock gas. At least some of the second portion of the combustion product gases is flowed into the mixing chamber, and the at least some of the second portion of the combustion product gases is mixed with undecomposed feedstock gas, so as to decompose at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas.

1 . A method of decomposing a feedstock gas, comprising:
 introducing the feedstock gas into a mixing chamber;   introducing a combustion gas into a combustion chamber connected to the mixing chamber;   combusting the combustion gas so as to produce one or more combustion product gases, wherein:
 a first portion of the one or more combustion products gases flows into the mixing chamber and mixes with the feedstock gas; and 
 a second portion of the one or more combustion products gases initially remains in the combustion chamber; 
   decomposing at least some of the feedstock gas as a result of the first portion of the one or more combustion products gases flowing into the mixing chamber and mixing with the feedstock gas; and   flowing at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases into the mixing chamber and mixing the at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases with undecomposed feedstock gas, so as to decompose at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases initially remains in the combustion chamber as a result of a pressure in the combustion chamber being equal to a pressure in the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein flowing the at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases into the mixing chamber comprises increasing a pressure within the combustion chamber to force the at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein increasing the pressure within the combustion chamber comprises reducing a volume of the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein reducing the volume of the combustion chamber comprises using a piston to reduce the volume of the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein flowing the at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases comprises introducing a fluid into the combustion chamber to increase a pressure in the combustion chamber and force the at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid is further feedstock gas. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 decomposing the at least some of the feedstock gas produces one or more product gases;   the method further comprises venting the one or more product gases from the mixing chamber; and   the fluid comprises at least some of the vented one or more product gases.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid comprises one or more of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water, steam, an inert or non-reactive gas, and further feedstock gas. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock gas comprises a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hydrocarbon is methane. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion gas comprises oxygen or air. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 after decomposing at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas, a third portion of the one or more combustion product gases remains in the combustion chamber; and   the method further comprises venting the third portion of the one or more combustion product gases from the combustion chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the venting comprises using a vent located at an end of the combustion chamber that is adjacent the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A system for decomposing a feedstock gas, comprising:
 a source of combustion gas;   a source of the feedstock gas;   a combustion chamber connected to a mixing chamber;   valving for opening and closing one or more openings in each of the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber;   a driving mechanism;   an igniter;   one or more controllers configured to:
 control the valving so as to:
 cause the combustion gas to flow into the combustion chamber; 
 cause the feedstock gas to flow into the mixing chamber; 
 
 control the igniter so as to combust the combustion gas in the combustion chamber and thereby produce one or more combustion product gases, wherein:
 a first portion of the one or more combustion products gases flows into the mixing chamber, mixes with the feedstock gas, and thereby decomposes at least some of the feedstock gas; and 
 a second portion of the one or more combustion products gases initially remains in the mixing chamber; and 
 
 control the driving mechanism so as to cause at least some of the second portion of the one or more combustion product gases to flow into the mixing chamber, mix with the undecomposed feedstock gas, and thereby decompose at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises a piston. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a vent in the combustion chamber, and wherein:
 after decomposing at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas, a third portion of the one or more combustion product gases remains in the combustion chamber; and   the controller is further configured to control the vent to vent the third portion of the one or more combustion product gases from the combustion chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the vent is located at an end of the combustion chamber that is adjacent the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the driving mechanism comprises a fluid; and   controlling the driving mechanism comprises controlling the valving so as to introduce the fluid into the combustion chamber.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is one or more of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water, steam, an inert or non-reactive gas, and further feedstock gas.